Island Institute

In this NEW EPISODE of Island Institute's From the Sea Up podcast, we visit Hurricane Island to see how students, researchers, fishermen, and ocean harvesters benefit from hands-on learning in science and sustainability. We’ll also chat with Jaclyn Robidoux from Maine Sea Grant about the Aquaculture in Shared Waters program, which now offers tailored training to uplift women and non-binary individuals in aquaculture. Dive in with us to explore these inspiring efforts driving growth, equity, and innovation in Maine’s coastal communities.   Dive in with us to explore these inspiring efforts driving growth, equity, and innovation in Maine’s coastal communities. 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eHZ8sEMe 📸: Nicole Wolf 🎙️: Galen Koch of @The First Coast  🌊 Partners: Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership & Maine Sea Grant   From the Sea Up is made possible by the Fund for Maine Islands and a partnership between @Island Institute, @College of the Atlantic, @Maine Sea Grant, and @The First Coast.

In her own words, Brie Cunliffe, one of our incredible Island Institute Fellows alumni, captures the heart of working alongside Maine's coastal communities. Brie helped the town of Tremont develop—and nearly unanimously adopt—a Community Resilience Plan. "As Fellows—taking our cues from the islands and coastal communities we inhabit—we do a lot with a little. We wade into spaces of chaos and potential, and gradually, collaboratively, beautiful, lasting things emerge. As Fellows, we learn from, weave, translate, and convene collective wisdom. We speak the latest word in the long, ongoing story of Maine’s coast—a story of place, community inter-reliance, and work that is of use. I’ve been honored to be part of the Fellows program, and I’ll be honored to keep telling this story—of arriving a stranger with eager hands and departing with an island to always call home." You can help sustain this transformative fellowship program! By supporting Island Institute Fellows today, you're not just empowering tomorrow's leaders—you're strengthening the very fabric of our coastal communities. Give today: https://bit.ly/3UpBkmu

"We're not only protecting infrastructure, we're protecting families." - Boe Marsh, CEO of Community Shellfish. Yesterday, Island Institute had the great honor of hosting Senator King, Representative Pingree, several working waterfront business owners, and key partners at Community Shellfish in Bremen for a discussion on storm recovery efforts and rebuilding working waterfronts with greater resiliency. While the road ahead is long, yesterday’s conversation reinforced that the impact of collective determination will help us meet this challenge and protect the future of our coast. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, with special gratitude to Senator King and Representative Pingree for introducing the Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act, which, if passed, will help small working waterfront businesses make essential resilience improvements.

Along Maine's coast, small, rural communities and islands are facing enormous challenges compounded by climate change: sea level rise threatens coastal infrastructure, housing costs are soaring, and warming ocean temperatures are poised to disrupt the fishing industry many families depend on. For 25 years, Island Institute Fellows have been adding critical capacity where it’s needed most, helping communities tackle their most urgent needs. By turning small-scale, community-led efforts into lasting, meaningful solutions, the Island Institute Fellows program continues to deliver real impact. Discover the legacy of the Island Institute Fellows program and hear from Fellows as they reflect on their contributions to Maine's coast: https://bit.ly/3Yx4FOE To ensure this vital program can continue responding to evolving community needs, learn how you can support the Island Institute Fellows today: https://bit.ly/3Uf4qF0

This past weekend marked the completion of Chebeague Island’s long-awaited broadband project! Since 2006, the community has worked tirelessly to bring reliable internet to the island after mainland providers overlooked it due to its remote location and low population. With support from Island Institute, this community-driven effort has realized faster internet, enhancing education, healthcare access, local business growth, and remote work opportunities—ultimately strengthening the island’s digital connections and positioning it to thrive. 🎉

Our hearts are with the communities affected by hurricanes Milton and Helene, sending strength and hope from the coast of Maine. This difficult moment underscores our commitment to helping Maine’s islands and coastal communities prepare for the increasing impacts of climate change, including more frequent extreme weather and rising sea levels. To do so, we believe it’s essential to ground our efforts in science as we work together toward a more resilient future. Island Institute's Chief Programs Officer, Dr. Jennifer S., recently wrote a column for our Working Waterfront Newspaper about the crucial role oceans play in shaping the planet’s climate and weather patterns. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4h17JcW

Are you ready for your next career adventure? Island Institute's staff is growing to meet the challenges facing Maine's island and coastal communities head on. These exciting new career opportunities include: ✍️ Content Marketing Specialist: https://lnkd.in/g7wGMVUp 🎣 Community Development Officer - Innovative Fishing Gear Coordinator: https://lnkd.in/gGqcEE_c 🔋 Sr. Community Development Officer - Clean Energy: https://lnkd.in/giR_7Pgt View all career opportunities and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gQXhwxrm

It looks like even the sunrise is getting in on the fall trend—giving us a little pumpkin spice glow to start the day! All it’s missing is a latte. Cheers to Friday! ☕️ 📍 Stonington, ME

October is co-op month! Did you know Maine has 15 fishing co-ops owned by 624 members, who bring in $102.8M in sales?! Cooperatives, or co-ops, are businesses collectively owned by their customers and overseen by a democratically elected board of directors. Profits are often reinvested back into the business. Co-ops can be formed for various purposes, from electricity delivery to lobster buying and selling, but in New England, they are most often associated with grocery stores and food delivery. Most Mainers are familiar with larger co-ops in Blue Hill, Belfast, and Portland, but smaller co-ops play an incredibly important role in serving the needs of our remote communities. Photos feature: Stonington Lobster Co-op (← photo credit) Cranberry Isles Fishermen's Co-Op Tenants Harbor Fisherman's Co-op Isle Au Haut Island Store Credit to Cooperative Maine Business Alliance for the fun fact from the USDA. #CoopMonth #CoopMonthME #CooperativeMaine #CoopsBuildaBetterMAINE #mainelobster #supportlocal

Think about the bravest thing you've ever done—that same bold spirit drives our five new Island Institute Fellows as they begin two years of service in coastal and island communities. Please join us in welcoming them to our beautiful corner of the world! From the left: 🔸 Mark Gorski: Peaks Island 🔸 Lucia Daranyi: Deer Isle & Stonington 🔸 Thomas McClellan: Monhegan Island 🔸 Erin Dent: St. George 🔸 Taylor Rossini: Swan’s Island Learn about their projects: https://bit.ly/3zIrCVa